New Horizons Genealogy

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Revolutionary Soldiers Buried in Montgomery County, Illinois



Revolutionary Soldiers Buried in Illinois by Mrs. Harriet J. Walker, Reprinted for the web.

In the preparation of this work, every effort has been made to obtain the records of these soldiers, to verify them, and to ascertain their places of burial. This has been accomplished in various ways, by ascertaining the names of all who were pensioned and where the application was made. This does not always locate the burial place owing to the changing of the boundary lines of the counties of the state, making it necessary to obtain from the U. S. Treasury department the time and place of payment of the last pension.


Revolutionary War Graves of Soldiers Buried in Montgomery County Illinois:


EZRA BOSTWICK was born in Queen Anne county, Maryland, in 1753. He enlisted under Capt. Patrick Began, North Carolina troops, October 15, 1780, serving under different officers until the close of the war. He came to Illinois, settling in Montgomery county in 1818, in the Bostwick settlement, not far from the present village of Irving. He lies buried in the little graveyard not far from the village of Irving. He was pensioned.

HENRY BRIANCE was a native of North Carolina, where he entered the service in 1777, serving under Col. Wade Hampton, Gen. Thomas Sumpter, and Gen. Francis Marion. He was in battles of Eutaw Springs, Friday Fort, Thompson's Fort, Monk's Corner and Monroe Field. He came to Montgomery county, Illinois, where he died August 19, 1833, and is buried in the Clear Springs cemetery near where he lived. He was pensioned.

THOMAS BRECKMAN was born in Albermarle county, Virginia. He entered the service early in 1776 under Capt. John Marks, Col. Charles Lewis' regiment, in Gen. Nathaniel Greene's division of the army, serving for three years; he also served under Capt. Archibald Moon, and was in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Stony Point, and other smaller engagements. He came to Illinois, settling in Montgomery county, where he died, and is buried in a little graveyard which is now a pasture owned by Joseph Spinner. He died about 1838. "Virginia Records."

JOHN CANNADY was born March 14, 1763, in King George's county, Virginia, and entered the service in Bedford county in September, 1781, in Capt. Charles Callaway's company, Col. James Callaway's regiment; was in the siege of Yorktown and served three months. He again enlisted in July, 1782, with Capt. Abraham Kirkpatrick, Col. Christian Fehiger, serving six months. He was transferred to Capt. Charles Yarborough's and Capt. Benjamin Dade's troops and was taken ill and furloughed home. He did garrison duty under Capt. Nathaniel Irish at New London, Campbell county, and was discharged in 1783. He removed to Kentucky, and from there to Montgomery county, Illinois, where he probably died December 15, 1836. He was pensioned.

JOHN CRABTREE was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, May 3, 1763. He entered the service in 1780 under Capt. Edward Williams; he again enlisted under Capt. John Knight. Coming to Illinois, he settled in Montgomery county, in what was known as the "Street Settlement," about four miles from Hillsboro. He was among the early settlers, and lies buried in the family graveyard not far from the old homestead. "North Carolina Records."

THOMAS CRAIG was born in Granville county, North Carolina, October, 1762. He enlisted in 1781, serving in Capt. Smith's company, Col. McKissick's regiment. He re-enlisted in Lincoln county in the Indian spy service, serving under Capt. Brown Stimson and Capt. John Sevier. He came to Illinois, settling in Montgomery county, East Fork township. The place of his burial is not known. He was pensioned.

BENJAMIN GORDON was born in Newberry county, South Carolina, August 30, 1763. He enlisted in 1780 under Gen. Thomas Sumter, Mecklenburg county, North Carolina. After the battle of Guilford Court House he was sent as wagoner, with the wounded to Gen. Nathaniel Greene's army. Later he served as a mountaineer ranger under Gen. John C. Clark of Georgia. He was discharged in 1783. He came to Montgomery county, Illinois, to reside, living in the Hurricane settlement. He received a pension for his services. The place of his burial is unknown.

WOOTEN HARRIS was a native of Virginia, where he enlisted in Capt. Elliot's company of militia, Brunswick county, in 1777, serving ninety days; he again enlisted under Capt. William Peterson, Col. Charles Harrison's regiment. He served till the close of the war. Coming to Illinois, he settled in Montgomery county in the Hurricane settlement. He died in 1837 and was buried in the Scribner burying ground, Fillmore township, but several years ago his remains were removed to the Fillmore graveyard, where they now repose. He was pensioned.

JOHN LIGET was a native of Virginia, but entered the service under Capt. John Reese in 1776; was transferred to Capt. David Plunkett's company, Fourth Regiment, Light Dragoons of Pennsylvania line of troops. He was taken prisoner in 1778, but soon escaped and rejoined the army under Washington, serving until the close of the war. He was in the battles of White Plains, Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown and other smaller engagements. Truly a valiant soldier! He came to Montgomery county, settling in the Bostick settlement. The place of his burial is not known. He was pensioned.

MASON OWENS was born in King's county, Virginia, September 8, 1760. He enlisted three times, serving eight months under Capt. Joseph Rogers, ten months under Capt. George Strother and five months with Capt. William Bunbury, Col. John Skinner. He was in several skirmishes and at the siege of Yorktown. In 1807 he removed to Kentucky, and in 1827 he came to Montgomery county, Illinois, where he died in 1846. He was pensioned.

HARRIS REVIS was born in Northampton county, North Carolina, in 1750. He enlisted under Sergeant Elias Langham, Salisbury, Rowan county, North Carolina, in 1780. He was stationed at the Magazine, where he remained till the close of the war. He came to Illinois with his brother Harry, who is buried in Madison county. Harris Revis settled in Montgomery county, was a commissioner of this county during its early history. He died in 1837 near his home and was buried in the Wright graveyard. "North Carolina in the Revolution."

JAMES RICHARDSON was born in Middlesex county, Virginia, August 25, 1757. He entered the service under Capt. Lemuel Smith, Col. Peter Perkins' regiment, Virginia troops, August, 1780. He also served under Capt. Miner Smith, Gen. Griffith Rutherford's command. He was in the battles of Brick House and Georgetown. Coming to Illinois, he settled in Montgomery county, and died in Hillsboro. He was pensioned.


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